Synagrops atrumoris Mediodia & Lin, S. japonicus (Döderlein, 1883), S. bellus (Goode & Bean, 1896) in Mediodia, Chang, Ho, Přikryl & Lin, 2024. |
A new species of splitfin fish, Synagrops atrumoris sp. nov., from Dongsha Island, Taiwan, South China Sea, is described based on its morphological characteristics, including osteology and otolith morphology, and DNA sequence. Synagrops atrumoris sp. nov. is closely similar to Synagrops japonicus and can be distinguished by its black mouth cavity covering the lower portion of the tongue, posteriorly enlarged and complex basioccipital fossae, and a triangular otolith with a strong postero-dorsal angle, as well as a strong genetic difference. In addition, the taxonomy of the genus Synagrops was revised. Available published data, together with our results, suggest that S. bellus is a synonym of S. japonicus.
Key words: Taxonomy, Ichthyology, Biodiversity, Otolith, Phylogenetic analyses
Synagrops atrumoris sp. nov. Mediodia & Lin
English name: Dongsha Blackmouth Splitfin;
Chinese name: 東沙黑口尖牙鱸.
Diagnosis: A species of Synagrops differs from
its congeners with the following combinations of
characters: black mouth cavity covering the lower
portion of the tongue in larger individuals (> 100 mm
SL), basioccipital fossae are posteriorly enlarged and
complex, triangular otolith with a pointed anterior rim
and vertical posterior rim.
Etymology: The specific name is a combination of
the Latin “atrum”, meaning black, and “oris”, meaning
mouth, in relation to its diagnostic black mouth floor.
Dominique P. Mediodia, Chia-Hao Chang, Hsuan-Ching Ho, Tomáš Přikryl and Chien-Hsiang Lin. 2024. A New Cryptic Species of Splitfin Fish from Taiwan with Revision of the Genus Synagrops (Acropomatiformes: Synagropidae). Zool Stud 63:20. doi: doi.org/10.6620/ZS.2024.63-20 x.com/otolith_lin